I.M. Hip
is a webcomic created by Thomas Fay Syndicate. Originally published on Intodit before moving to DeviantArt the following year, the strip is about Irwin Murphy "I.M." Hip, the smartest kid in school...at least initially. As the years pass, I.M. graduates from school and the strip follows him to the University of Minnesota, then back home with his mother, and currently to a law firm he runs with his college flame, a British prodigy named Sophie Finn Xavier.
When the strip is not focused on I.M., it looks over at his younger sister Ursula Randall (U.R.) Hip. She may not be as smart as her brother, but she gets by with her mother, her new (since late 2017) boyfriend Biff Wilson, her best friend Josie, and even Jenny Everywhere.
But regardless on who is in the spotlight, at one point in time or another, they must all answer (read Fifty Lines) to their prodigy-hating teacher/courtroom judge Mr. Albany. Good luck with that...
The comic concluded in November 2020, after a ten year run.
I.M. Hip contains examples of:
- Cassandra Truth: When asked "How was college?", I.M. tries to tell his mother of his amazing escapades at the University, her response is "No really. How was College?"
- Our Mermaids Are Different: Myrtle can breathe air just as well as water. To pass off as a human, she needs to be given prosthetic legs and put into a wheelchair. This disguise works on Mr. Albany, until her cover was accidentally blown.
- Philosopher's Stone: I.M. finds one, but it's quickly confiscated by Mr. Albany, who proceeds to down the Elixer of Life in one gulp.Mr. Albany: I'm INVINCIBLE!
- Punny Name: I.M. Hip and his sister, U.R. Hip.
- The Fourth Wall Will Not Protect You: In one strip, Mr. Albany excuses I.M. from detention, before turning to the audience, pointing at them, and saying "You're next!"
- Writing Lines: This is Mr. Albany's favorite method of punishment. While the norm is 50 lines, a student in a wheelchair would be assigned only 25 lines. One time, I.M. does something so severe, he is sentenced to write 75 lines.
- You Wanna Get Sued?: Chloe stops I.M. from singing Stairway to Heaven.
